Page 29 of Her Tempting Traitor
CHAPTER 6
Gabby wasn’t sure how she managed to make it through the rest of the conversation with Gus, knowing Cassian wasright over there. How long had he been standing there? Why hadn’t he made himself known?
And why wasn’t he joining them now?
Gus continued to talk about the llamas. But to be honest, Gabby wouldn’t have been able to respond; most of her attention had been on the little half-wall behind her, where she knew Cassian lurked. It was a stall for one of the zebras, and whenever she made an excuse to turn in that direction, she couldn’t see him.
Which, as far as she was concerned, was proof he was there.
The man was a spy, was he not?
Besides, she couldfeelhim there.
When Gus straightened away from the llama stall and turned to her, the lad opened his mouth for a moment, then closed it, a strangely determined expression on his face that forced her to focus onhim.
And a good thing she did.
Because without warning, the lad threw his arms around her stomach and hugged herhard. Her breath burst from her in a sort of surprised laugh as she patted his head, but before she could utter a word, he had turned away and was running from the animal barn.
A hug?
It was one thing to hug Gus, and quite another toreceivea hug from him.
And it hadn’t evoked a response from Cassian at all. Hewasstill watching, was he not?
As Gus ran off, she turned to the zebra stalls. Cautiously, she picked her way toward them, peering over the top of first one, then the other. Where was he? Would he have left after that moment they’d shared—when he’d admitted that he loved his son and would never drag him away from this safe space?
Gabby was relieved she’d guessed correctly.
Turning away from the stalls, she opened her mouth to whisper his name, only to feel a strong grip around her wrist. The word turned to a gasp and she whirled around at the same moment he tugged…
And Gabby slammed into a hard chest.
For the third time in as many meetings.
The realization made her lips twitch. “Oh, hello,” she whispered up at him. “We keep meeting this way.”
“Ye said ye werenae clumsy,” he accused, a sparkle of teasingin his bright blue eyes.
“To be fair, this one is your fault.”
Still, Gabby made no effort to push herself away, and Cassian’s other hand, which had landed on her upper back to steady her, didn’t drop away.
In fact it slid down her spine, his strong touch sending fiery shivers to her core as his fingers tightened momentarily around her wrist.
His gaze was skimming her face, as if looking for something, but his expression remained serious. “Gabby, I…”
Her pulse hammered in her ears, and only then did she realize she was holding her breath. Damn. How to breathe without letting him know she’d been holding her breath? Better take it slowly. Just one breath at a time.Better start soon, though, before you pass out.
Yes.
Good idea.
She slowly exhaled, trying to be casual, nonchalant.Nothing to see here. Just normal exhaling, I have actually done this before, happens all the time.
Yes, yes, fine, but what about theinhaling? That was rather more important, wasn’t it?
Not time for that yet. We are still focused on the exhaling.
